“Bite marks,” she whispered.
He kissed one of the spots. “No. You’re healing too quickly.”
She found herself pouting.
He chuckled. “You like my teeth on you, don’t you, naughty girl?”
“Mmm.”
“I’ll do it again sometime. If you want everyone to see my claim blatantly displayed, I’ll nip your neck before we head to someone else’s home.”
“Mmm,” she repeated, smiling. She liked that idea.
There was another round of bottle feeding. Another diaper. Several more temperature checks. And then Daddy clasped her cheek and met her gaze. “It’s time, Little one. You’re ready.”
She looked around. They were in the living room. She was naked in his arms. “Time to shift?”
“Yes, Baby girl. Let your wolf out.”
She glanced at the end table and then at the coffee table. There were a few items on both, including a lamp. “What if I break something?”
He smiled. “You won’t, but even if you do, who cares?”
“Could I be huge like Khloe?”
He shrugged. “It’s possible. There’s only one way to find out.” He lifted her off his lap and set her on her feet. “Back up a few steps, close your eyes, and let your body shift.”
She found herself obeying him even though she was frightened. All shifters were nervous before their first shift. It was normal. There was no avoiding the call of nature. Her body was tingling with energy. It wouldn’t go away. She had to heed the call.
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly as her first shift forced itself through every molecule in her body. The next thing she knew, she dropped down onto all fours.
For a moment, she wasn’t sure if she’d shifted yet or not, but then she looked down and saw paws where her hands had been. She also had no voice. At least not words. She was pretty sure she could make sounds, and she proved that when she tipped her snout back and howled.
The sound startled her and threw her off balance, causing her to drop back and land on her haunches.
When she lifted her gaze, she found Isaac watching her with a smile on his face. “You’re stunning, Little wolf. Your fur is almost the same color of blond as your human hair.” He held out a hand. “Would you like me to pet you?”
She would really like that, and she rose back onto all fours, intending to prance closer to him. It took her a few falteringsteps before she got her rhythm and managed to pad toward him.
As soon as he stroked her head, she lowered her snout, instinct telling her to bow to him in a way. It wasn’t something she’d learned. It just came to her.
Amber slowly lifted her head when he removed his hand. She looked around the room, startled to realize she could see ten times better than the super-vision she already had in human form. Every single speck of dust. Every tiny imperfection. Every stroke of paint on the walls, so detailed that she could tell which direction the brush had been moving.
“Your vision?” Daddy asked.
She turned to him and nodded.
“Better than before?”
She nodded again.
“Would you like to step outside for a moment so you can look around?”
Excited by the idea, she turned and bounded toward the front door.
Isaac chuckled as he joined her. He lifted her snout. “You will stay right next to me. We’re not taking off for a run in the dark. A few minutes, right by the house, and we’re coming back in.”
She nodded agreement.
